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The Department of Veterans Affairs deferred the purchase of more than $765 million in medical equipment last year, drawing criticism from some quarters over how the decision might affect veterans' health. The delayed purchases included heart monitors, radiological and surgical equipment, oxygen delivery systems and pain medication pumps.

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Congress will not grant a Department of Veterans Affairs request to divert $730 million from the Veterans Choice program to pay for cost overruns at the VA hospital under construction in Denver, Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee members said.

Several lawmakers plan to attend a summit on veterans' health care next month sponsored by Concerned Veterans for America. The highlight of the Feb. 26 summit will be the presentation of results from the group's nearly five-month review of the Department of Veterans Affairs' health care services.

A 2012 report by the Government Accountability Office found that personnel at four Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers hid and doctored information to meet goals set forth by department leaders. Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki is expected to face questions about the issue when he testifies before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee on Thursday.

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced its decision to allocate $543 million to implement radio-frequency identification tags and real-time location systems in its 152 hospitals and seven outpatient pharmacies. To help with the initiative, Intelligent InSites will be responsible for attaching the tools to surgical instruments, supplies and medical equipment, as well as offering data analytics services to the Veterans Health Administration.

House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Jeff Miller, R-Fla., says his focus is on proposals that would improve health care for veterans. Miller would like to see reductions in the amount of time it takes for the Department of Veterans Affairs to process disability claims and open up access for veterans to Tricare mental health professionals.